About this role
Economic Growth Facilitator
Project Description: Experienced business owners and recent graduates alike are invited to support aspiring entrepreneurs in the Caribbean.
The Dominican Republic is experiencing remarkable economic growth, yet many communities still face barriers. One of the key challenges is expanding access to economic opportunities for women and youth, who remain among the most vulnerable groups. While national initiatives have made strides in promoting entrepreneurship and competitiveness, gaps in geographic coverage and capacity mean that many individuals lack the skills and resources to take advantage of available opportunities. Addressing these gaps is essential to ensure that economic growth translates into prosperity and long-term stability for all.
As an Economic Growth Facilitator, you will support the community to unlock local talent and pursue economic opportunities. Together, you will facilitate training, provide personalized mentoring, and identify related national programs to participate in. You will help individuals—especially women and youth—to develop the skills to launch successful businesses, manage finances effectively, and navigate the job market. These efforts strengthen household economic security, foster innovation, and create pathways for upward mobility.
Required Skills: Associate degree in any business discipline, plus two years of full-time, related business work experience post-high school. OR Bachelor's degree in any business discipline. OR High school diploma or GED and four years of experience in business management.
Living Conditions: Volunteers will live with a host family for the first three months at their assigned site to support language learning and integration. While you may transition to independent housing afterward, availability is not guaranteed and living conditions vary widely. Homes may lack running water, reliable electricity, or consistent cell service, but these conditions offer opportunities to experience authentic Dominican culture and build resilience.
Activities: Teach financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and employability classes in secondary schools. Facilitate after-school workshops on digital marketing and business skills for youth. Consult with small business owners to strengthen financial practices and marketing strategies. Support aspiring entrepreneurs to develop business plans and launch new ventures. Organize and deliver trainings on money management, including savings and budgeting. Collaborate with community-based groups to improve organizational capacity and income generation. Coordinate regional conferences or events focused on digital marketing and financial literacy.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as facilitating an English conversation club or a youth entrepreneurship fair.
Training: As an Economic Growth Facilitator, you will be trained on employment, entrepreneurship, and income management. Peace Corps/Dominican Republic will teach you Spanish to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community. You will also receive language resources to continue your language learning during service, and you may have the opportunity to learn Haitian Creole.
After 9 weeks of training, you will move to a rural or peri-urban community where you will collaborate with local secondary public schools to assess the local needs and develop solutions based on community-driven priorities.
Job Highlights: Advance your Spanish language skills through everyday conversations and learn from dedicated Language and Cross-Culture Facilitators. Learn and apply innovative business approaches to drive economic development within rural communities. Attend and network at local conferences for digital literacy and science, technology, engineering, and math.